Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy in diagnosis of diffuse cystic lung disease in Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome is systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of various organs with wide frequency of pulmonary involvement. Diffuse cystic lung disease in Sjögren's syndrome is a rare condition and requires differential diagnosis with other cystic pathologies such as lymphangioleyomiomatosis or Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a method of in vivo investigation of airways and lung tissue on microscopic level during bronchoscopy. We used this method in diffuse cystic lung disease caused by Sjögren's syndrome. The pCLE image showed a large number of fluorescent cells presumably lymphocytes in bronchioles, dilated alveolar spaces with fluid and thin alveolar walls. We think that the presence of the bronchiolar cells pattern can be used to differentiate between the pulmonary manifestations of Sjögren's disease and other cystic lung diseases.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with lung involvement.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disease caused by human papillomavirus. Aggressive forms of RRP require repeated cytoreductive surgery to restore airway patency. Tracheal disease is even less common and lung parenchyma is involved in less than 1% of patients. We present reports of three cases of RRP with progressive lung disease in adult patients.

Role of mast cells in bronchial contraction in nonallergic obstructive lung pathology.

The role of mast cells in contractile bronchial smooth muscle activity has been evaluated in a model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induced in rats that were intermittently exposed to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for 60 days. Starting from the 31st day, one group of rats inhaled sodium cromoglycate before exposure to NO2 to stabilize mast cell membranes. The second group (control) was not treated. Isometric smooth muscle contraction was analysed in isolated bronchial samples in response to nerve and smooth muscle stimulation. Histological analysis revealed large numbers of mast cells in lung tissue of COPD model rats. The inhibition of mast cell degranulation by sodium cromoglycate prevented the development of nerve-stimulated bronchial smooth muscle hyperactivity in COPD model rats. Histamine or adenosine-induced hyperactivity on nerve stimulation was also inhibited by sodium cromoglycate in bronchial smooth muscle in both control and COPD model rats. This suggests that the mechanism of contractile activity enhancement of bronchial wall smooth muscle cells may be mediated through the activation of resident mast cells transmembrane adenosine receptors resulting in their partial degranulation, with the released histamine acting upon histamine H1-receptors which trigger reflex pathways via intramural ganglion neurons.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a long way to correct diagnosis: problems of diagnostics and therapy in routine practice.

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis is a rare disease with unknown etiology that is due to an abnormal surfactant metabolism. Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 68 patients with PAP who were seen at Pulmonology Clinic of Pavlov State Medical University from 1977-2013 was performed. The mean time since first abnormalities were found until diagnosis establishment was 34 months. During that time, most patients were treated with antibiotics, tuberculostatics, glucocorticoids, and immunosupressants. The most effective PAP treatment method was found to be whole lung lavage procedure: 82% of patients showed improvement after its implementation. Delayed diagnosis and incorrect administration of antibiotics, tuberculostatics etc. reduce the probability of a long symptom-free period after lung lavage and spontaneous resolution of the disease.